($346+) St. Louis, MO to Dayton, OH Movers
Moving from St. Louis, MO, to Dayton, OH, runs anywhere from $346 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $6,508 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 360 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 4 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $1,057, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $6,508 or more.
- Moving containers run $899 - $2,850, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $346 - $898.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Louis, MO, to Dayton, OH. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,665 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from St. Louis, MO to Dayton, OH
Moving options from St. Louis to Dayton fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $1,665 - $4,481 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 31% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 79% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 360 miles, this route usually takes 1 to 4 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 360-mile route from St. Louis to Dayton, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,057 - $3,575 | $899 - $1,471 | $346 - $602 | $778 - $1,394 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,665 - $4,481 | $1,151 - $2,047 | $347 - $758 | $857 - $1,637 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,748 - $6,508 | $1,537 - $2,850 | $448 - $898 | $1,170 - $2,171 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from St. Louis, MO to Dayton, OH
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 360-mile move from St. Louis, Missouri, to Dayton, Ohio, with prices running from $1,057 - $6,508. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $247 - $1,648 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between St. Louis and Dayton are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, St. Louis movers tend to run around $247 as a base rate plus $145/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from St. Louis to Dayton:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,057 - $3,575
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,665 - $4,481
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,748 - $6,508
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from St. Louis to Dayton.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from St. Louis, MO to Dayton, OH
Specialty needs vary by market: 68% of St. Louis movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Dayton, 63% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing71% of local movers | $412 - $4,120 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready68% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $165 - $989/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $247 - $1,978 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs67% of local movers | $824 - $2,472 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,060 - $8,240 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $617 - $1,173 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items31% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: McGuire Moving and Storage | $824 - $2,060 |
| Piano | Any piano type52% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $659 - $2,884 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling16% of local movers | $247 - $1,236 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage | $536 - $1,648 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $247 - $12,360+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $247 - $2,884+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. Louis to Dayton?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Ohio Association of Movers is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
How much do local movers cost in St. Louis, MO?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from St. Louis to Dayton with a local mover averages $1,731 - $4,660. For moves under 500 miles, local movers in St. Louis, MO can be a smart choice. Many use hourly pricing models that may reduce your total compared to what a national carrier would charge, and tighter coverage areas often mean faster turnaround and more hands-on communication.
That said, licensing requirements still apply. Make sure any company you're considering is properly licensed for interstate moves for the route you need.
ABC Quality Moving & Storage (4.72/5 stars) is a local mover in St. Louis, based on our analysis of feedback from 273 customers, 83.5% of which is positive.
Address: 3050 Armona Dr, St. Louis, MO, 63129 | Founded: 1989
Moving container costs from St. Louis, MO to Dayton, OH
Moving containers from St. Louis, Missouri, to Dayton, Ohio, cost between $899 and $2,850. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Dayton. If you go over that window, storage in St. Louis adds around $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Louis to Dayton:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $899 - $1,471
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,151 - $2,047
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,537 - $2,850
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In St. Louis, MO, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $577, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $62 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $124 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both St. Louis, MO, and Dayton, OH, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Missouri to Ohio move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $899. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,151 - $2,047.
What are the best moving containers St. Louis to Dayton?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in St. Louis to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in St. Louis:
- Simple Moves (4.7/5), 25 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.8/5), 32 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 14 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from St. Louis, MO to Dayton, OH
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 360 miles from St. Louis, Missouri, to Dayton, Ohio, running $346 - $898. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $94 - $108
- Daily insurance: $25/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $16
- St. Louis daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from St. Louis to Dayton based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $346 - $602
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $347 - $758
- 4+ bedrooms: $448 - $898
Pro tip: A rental truck from St. Louis to Dayton looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $346 - $898. But once you factor in fuel ($94 - $108), overnight lodging ($124/night), meals, and equipment rentals, the total adds up to more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $94 - $108 for the 360-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in St. Louis, Missouri, for about 5 hours typically costs around $577.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 360-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $124 per night, adding $247 - $371 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $41 and $247.
What are the best moving truck rentals from St. Louis to Dayton?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from St. Louis, MO to Dayton, OH
If you're moving a larger household from St. Louis, Missouri, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Dayton, Ohio.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $857 and $1,637.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Louis to Dayton:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $778 - $1,394
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $857 - $1,637
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,170 - $2,171
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $62 - $124 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in St. Louis, Missouri, typically costs $577.
What are the best freight companies from St. Louis to Dayton?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Dayton quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: St. Louis, MO vs Dayton, OH
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between St. Louis and Dayton to plan around. Cost of living index: 84 vs. 80. Average rent: $1,250/mo vs. $925/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 66 vs. 45. Safety index: 30.35 vs. 40.68.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Dayton, OH to St. Louis, MO guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Missouri to Ohio, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Missouri alone has 138 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 360-mile move like this one.
Our take
A move from St. Louis, MO, to Dayton, OH, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $1,057 - $6,508 on the 360-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $899 - $2,850, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $346 - $898. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $1,665 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Morgan Linen & Uniform Services and Premier Physicians.
FAQs: Moving from St. Louis, MO, to Dayton, OH
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($94 - $108), daily insurance ($25/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $16) on top. Overnight stops can add another $124/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Ohio?
Although a local license is not required in Ohio, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number.
What is the best time of year to move from St. Louis, MO to Dayton, OH?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
Is Dayton a safe place to live?
Dayton has a safety index of 40.68 out of 100 and a crime index of 4.0, compared to 30.35 and 69.65 in St. Louis. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of St. Louis movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 52% of movers in St. Louis handle piano moves, and 31% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.